Canada-wide warrants have been issued for four men wanted following an 18-month long human trafficking investigation by the Saskatchewan RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime North Unit (FSOC β North).
In June 2019, FSOC β North investigators became aware of a suspected human trafficking group operating across Western Canada with strong ties to the province of Saskatchewan.
As a result of extensive investigation Billy Glenold-Fleury, 31, Mali Jean, 33, Kenny Jouthe, 30, and Bechir Ben Salah, 32, are charged with trafficking persons, material benefit from trafficking in persons, withholding or destroying identity documents, and charges relating to participating in the activities of a criminal organization.
Specific details relating to the charges laid will be presented as evidence in court. However, it is important to note there are many different facets of human trafficking, the most commonly known being sexual exploitation or sex trafficking, which is different from the charges laid to date for this specific investigation.
βHuman trafficking is a crime which robs victims of their normal lives and freedom,β said Insp. Andrew Farquhar, Officer in Charge of RCMP FSOC.
βInvestigators also believe there may be other victims who have not been identified during the course of the investigation who are urged to come forward if they require any assistance. Victims donβt often identify as victims, and human trafficking-related crimes are often underreported, which can make investigating files of this nature incredibly challenging.β
Glenold-Fleury, Jean, Jouthe, and Salah all have ties to Saskatchewan, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Anyone with information on this investigation or the whereabouts of these four individuals is asked to contact their local police service, RCMP Detachment or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
If you are a victim/survivor of forced prostitution or forced labour, or suspect someone else might be, call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.
The Hotline Response Advocates will connect callers to support and services and will also take tips, answer questions, and forward information, when appropriate, to law enforcement.
You can also report suspected human trafficking to your local police service or Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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